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Book Review: Pit Perfect (Barkside of the Moon) by Renee George

Pit Perfect is the first book in the Barkside of the Moon series by Renee George. I downloaded this book immediately after reading the sequel, The Money Pit, because of the writing style and character work.

When cougar-shifter Lily Mason
moves to Moonrise, Missouri, she wishes for only three things from the
town and its human population. To find a job, to find a place to
live, and to live as a human, not a therianthrope. Lily gets
more than she bargains for when a rescue pit bull named Smooshie rescues
her from an oncoming car, and it’s love at first sight. Thanks to
Smooshie, Lily’s first two wishes are granted by Parker Knowles, the
owner of the Pit Bull Rescue center, who offers her a job at the shelter
and the room over his garage for rent. Lily’s new life as an
integrator is threatened when Smooshie finds Katherine Kapersky, the
local church choir leader and head of the town council, dead in the
field behind the rescue center. Unfortunately, there are more suspects
than mourners for the elderly town leader. Can Lily keep her
less-than-human status under wraps? Or will the killer, who has pulled
off a nearly Pit Perfect murder, expose her to keep Lily and her dog
from digging up the truth?

Pit Perfect is a fast moving and fun mystery. I liked Lily's character and the complications that she brings with her to the small town. I liked her efforts to fit and and to get to know the town inhabitants. Finding her uncle and making friends in the new town started fairly easy, at least until the dead bodies start appearing and throwing suspicion on those that have been helpful. I really enjoyed the character development and the groundwork laid down for the rest of the series. My real complain, read for it, is that the book was too short. It felt way too short. I want more of this set of characters and Moonrise Missouri. A good start to a series, leaving me wanting more.